With Westport Community Schools superintendent Thomas Aubin set to retire at the end of June, members of the school committee have begun searching for his replacement.

Committee members last week formed a new search subcommittee to help find a replacement for Dr. Aubin, who worked in education for more than 40 years and had been at the reins in Westport since March 2021. He announced his retirement in late January.

Rather than hiring an outside firm to help identify the right candidate to replace him, committee members will handle the search in-house.

“The decision to create a search committee was made with transparency and efficiency in mind,” committee member Christopher Thrasher, who will chair the subcommittee, said. “By bringing together such a broad and experienced group of stakeholders with a diverse range of perspectives, we’ll be able to conduct a thorough and cost-effective search to ultimately lead us to the best possible choice.”

The subcommittee is made up of two members of the school committee, the presidents of both the Westport Federation of Teachers and AFSCME Council 93, Local 2667, administrative staff, additional district employees, parents, and members of the community.

By handling the search in-house, rather than hiring an outside firm, Thrasher said the district could save anywhere from $25,000 to $50,000.

“The superintendent plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our schools, and we are committed to identifying a leader who will drive our district’s continued growth and achievement,” committee chairman Evan Gendreau said. “This process ensures that all voices— teachers, staff, parents, and community members — are part of the search.”

Applications will be reviewed by the human resources director and search subcommittee, which will screen candidates, conduct initial interviews, check references, and present at least three finalists to the full committee.

Thrasher wrote that the final interviews and selection of the next superintendent will take place in open session school committee meetings, with the opportunity for public input and comment before a final decision is made.

Aubin was named superintendent in March 2021, nine months after assuming Westport’s newly created assistant superintendent and middle high school principle positions.

His tenure was marked by dramatic changes — the completion of the  middle high school, the COVID epidemic, and a move to embrace new technologies in the classroom among them.

Prior to coming to the district, the long-time Westport resident served a long tenure at Diman Regional Vocational High School.

Aubin wrote in a letter to the community announcing his departure that his exit comes with mixed emotions.

“I have decided to step into the next chapter of my life," he wrote. "It has been a privilege to serve as an advocate for our students and to contribute to the ongoing success of the district.”

Aubin said he will serve through Monday, June 30, the last day of his current contract.

https://eastbayri.com/stories/aubin-will-retire-as-westport-school-superintendent,128746?